School’s plan for implementation of
Rhode Island’s new “Peanut Law.

December 10, 2007

Dear JCDS Parent,

Chag Sameach! We hope this letter finds you and your family well and enjoying the warm celebration of Chanukah as our days become increasingly chilly.

We are writing to update you on the school’s plan for implementation of Rhode Island’s new “Peanut Law.” Passed during the 2007 legislative session, the purpose of the law is to protect students who have allergies to peanuts or tree nuts, while they are in school. Allergies to peanuts or tree nuts are quite common. Some people have a mild reaction to these products, such as developing a rash or hives. However, some people have a very severe reaction which can be life-threatening. A person with this severe type of allergy may stop breathing (anaphylaxis) in less than a minute of smelling, eating or touching peanut/tree nut products.

As providing a safe environment for all of our students is of utmost importance, the administrative team, in conjunction with the school nurse, has been carefully reviewing this law, and considering various methods of implementation in order to provide a safe environment, which supports the wellbeing of our whole school community including students, faculty, staff and visitors. In consideration of those individuals who are impacted by severe nut allergies, as well as those who are not, the following plan has been developed and will be implemented as of January 2, 2008.

1. A sign alerting people that there are individuals in the school with a peanut/tree nut allergy, will be posted at each point of entry to the school and at the lunchroom entrance (Goldberg and Meeting House).

2. The school is prohibiting the sale of items containing peanuts/tree nuts.

3. In addition to the current table arrangements in the lunchroom (Goldberg and Meeting House), there will also be one table designated as “nut-free.” This table will be available for those individuals whose allergies warrant physical separation from the other tables where there may be nut products. Other children may also sit at the nut-free table, as long as they do not have peanut/tree nut products as part of their lunch.

4. The homerooms for the grades in which there are children who have peanut/tree nut allergies will be designated as “nut-free.” As we do have individuals in the Middle School with peanut/tree nut allergies, and because Middle School students travel to classrooms throughout the Middle School, it is necessary to designate the entire Middle School as “nut-free.” If your child is in a grade in which there another individual in his/her class with a nut allergy, or if your child is in Middle School, we have attached a separate letter detailing specifics of what “maintaining a nut-free classroom” entails.

5. Due to the use of some classrooms by individuals from multiple grades, the
   following school spaces are being designated as “nut-free” and will be maintained as such.

   1. Library

   2. Art Room

   3. Entire Middle School
      

6. If your child does not have a peanut/tree nut allergy, he/she CAN bring peanut/tree nut products from home. However, if your child is in one of the grades in which the homeroom is designated as “nut free,” or if your child is in Middle School, you MUST inform your child’s teacher that he/she has brought in a nut product; the teacher will arrange for your child to store his/her nut-product outside of the classroom. Your child MAY NOT store or eat the product in any of the designated nut-free areas. (See #5). Your child may eat the nut product in
   the lunchroom.

Thank you, in advance for your support of the implementation of the new “peanut/tree nut law” (H5671), which is applicable to all public AND non-public schools serving elementary and middle schools. We recognize that for many of you, implementation of this plan will require “creative modifications” to what your child may typically bring for lunch or snack.

Please Remember:

If your child is in a grade in which there is another individual with a nut allergy, or if your child is in the Middle School, you will be receiving another letter detailing more specifics about the implementation of this law.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to see a copy of the law, please feel free to contact either of us.

Sincerely yours,

_____________________________
Dani Steiner, Head of School

_____________________________
 Betsy Singer Cable, Director of Student Support Services

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